Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson and his running mate Bill Weld will be making a campaign appearance in Lewiston next week, according to a campaign press release.

Johnson, who served two terms as the Republican governor of New Mexico in the 1990s and Weld, a former Republican governor of Massachusetts, have seen a steady uptick in recent national polls and are offering themselves as an alternative to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Johnson and Weld will hold a rally at Lewiston’s Franco American Heritage Center on Aug. 26. Tickets will be available for free, on a first-come, first served basis at Eventbrite.

“We expect that many Mainers will walk away from this event feeling like they finally have a presidential candidate they can be proud to cast their vote for this November,” volunteer coordinator Heidi Sawyer said.

Gary Johnson

The appearance at the former Catholic church, in the city’s Little Canada neighborhood, will be part of a New England sweep for Johnson and Weld.

The Libertarian ticket has gained some attention in recent weeks as prominent Republicans, including Maine’s U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, have said they won’t vote for Trump or Clinton.

Collins said that if Weld were a presidential candidate for the Libertarians instead of Johnson she would vote Libertarian this year.

Johnson, who is known in part for his stance in favor of marijuana legalization and his admitted use of the drug, has promised he will not use marijuana if he’s elected president. Weld and Johnson are also campaigning on their records as governor and their history of cutting taxes, growing jobs and reducing the overall size of government.

The campaign stop comes on the heels of a recent $62,000 television advertising purchase in Maine by the pro-Johnson PAC, Americans Deserve Better. The ad buy is aimed at Maine’s 2nd U.S. Congressional District.

In July, Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap announced enough people in Maine had enrolled as Libertarians to give the party official status here.

Johnson and Weld will appear on the ballot in all 50 states.

Mainers will also have the option of voting for Green Party candidate Jill Stein in November, who will also appear on the state’s ballot.

The Johnson event in Lewiston is scheduled for 6 p.m. but doors will open at 4:30.

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